(CNN) - Republican South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint turned his focus on 2012 by targeting incumbent Democratic senators over their vote on an earmark moratorium.

DeMint, a Tea Party movement favorite, sent an email to supporters of his Senate Conservatives Fund Wednesday that criticized four senators who are up for reelection 2012, noting that each member hails from a state President Obama lost in 2008.
He highlighted Montana Sen. Jon Tester, Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin.

"These senators are nice folks but they have ignored the will of the American people and they must be replaced with principled conservatives in 2012," DeMint wrote. "We've already begun the process of building campaigns against these other liberals in the Senate who are driving our nation deeper and deeper into debt."

A bill to end the use of earmarks, a legislative provision that directs funds to a specific project, failed Tuesday in the Senate with a vote of 39 to 56.

To encourage Republican candidates in the next election DeMint urged his supporters to take three steps: raise money, suggest possible conservative challengers and recruit more Americans to his cause.

He said Republicans can win the four Senate races if the group raises $4 million.

DeMint supported conservative Republican and Tea Party-backed candidates throughout the 2010 campaign, and Wednesday's email marks his entry into the 2012 cycle.

soundoff(10 Responses)

Video Guy

The last I looked I am a American and I approve of the actions of North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad. He represents me just fine. So Mr DeMint stop saying all Americans agree with your view. New Flash – They do not.

December 2, 2010 03:13 pm at 3:13 pm |

King

When demint is going to stop treat intelligent Americans like his simpleton cronies. How the he'll your going to cut the budget with a percent of 1 percent. This man need to stop playing with our intelligence. Demint you need to disclose what programs your going to cut, by how much and what percent of the budget this will cut. Stop playing kindergarten games because as usual your only getting the simpletons in our society, and you already got those, now what next.

December 2, 2010 03:21 pm at 3:21 pm |

T'sah from Virginia

duhMINT is blowing off a lot of steam now and all he has to do – like the RepubliCAN'Ts are planning for everything else – is REPEAL IT!!! Next year – DON'T Compromise – Say NO to everything – You already promised to do that!!!! Jeez!

Democrats need to get out NOW and work the grounds. These doggone Repubs are not resting and 2012 is on their minds more than JOBS and getting the economy straight! The Repubs know that those earmarks are a DROP in the BUCKET and the real issues are taxes, Medicare and social security.

duhMint does NOT make me "shake in my boots" nor does he SCARE ME!! The Repubs are always trying to SCARE somebody and that is getting OLD and needs to be thrown out!!

Democrats – Continue to Move America Forward with our current leader, President Obama, and have some BACKBONE in the process!!

December 2, 2010 03:24 pm at 3:24 pm |

John Boehner is the dumbest person to become speaker

I hope DeMint remembers John Llewellyn Kyl and his trying to get earmarks after he said he would not support them. Go after your parties hypocrites you hypocrite.

December 2, 2010 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |

Tammy

It doesn't matter if the earmark ban failed or not – it was nothing but a stageshow to quiet the witless rubes on the right.

December 2, 2010 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |

Claudia, Houston, Tx

DeMint says "recruit more Americans", does this mean those they've already recruited aren't Americans. I thought they were against illegals.

December 2, 2010 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |

Joe from CT, not Lieberman

Hey, Mr. Senator, fillibusters suck, don't they?

December 2, 2010 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA

Sen. Demint is just rambling. Sen. Manchin just got elected to office. Tell me what bills he's voted on Demented Demint...............

December 2, 2010 04:29 pm at 4:29 pm |

PalmReader

If anyone is ignoring the will of the people, my guess would be DeMint is. I doubt he will last for the next 6 years. These eager beavers never do. Too busy trying to dictate, I suspect. Eventually, the media will bear the backlash of repeating every GOPer talking point given them... many already are feeling the heat.

December 2, 2010 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

ED FL

Demint is just mad because he and his constituants have to trade in their white hoods and robes and get used to wearing TURBANS like their new governor ,elected by the people. Get with it Demint.